Composting Workshop Focuses on Opportunities for Municipalities

January 20, 2015 /3BL Media/ - A workshop on industrial composting being offered in February will help decision makers evaluate the feasibility of municipal composting programs for their communities.

“Opportunities and Challenges in Organics Diversion” will be held on February 25 in Oconomowoc in conjunction with the Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference. The three-hour workshop is being hosted by the Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology. It is open to conference and non-conference attendees.

The workshop features six expert presenters including: Tim Croll, Solid Waste Division Director, Seattle, Washington, among the leading recycling municipalities in the nation for more than 20 years; Norma McDonald, North America Sales Manager, Organic Waste Systems, Inc., a world leading company in the biodegradability and compostability testing of different types of materials, and in waste management consultancy; Michele Riggs, Biodegradable Technical Specialist, Cedar Grove Composting and Susan Thoman, Vice President of Corporate Development, Cedar Grove Composting, one of the largest urban composting operations in North America; Mark Williams, Vice President of Market Development, BioBag Americas, Inc., the world’s largest brand of ASTM D6400 certified compostable bags and films with operations in more than 20 countries; and Rhodes Yepsen, Marketing Manager, Novamont North America, a world leading producer of compostable biopolymers.

The goal of the workshop is to assist pragmatic decision making for those considering industrial composting as a waste management option in their own communities. But in addition to its interest for policy makers and solid waste managers, the workshop holds value for packaging manufacturers and converters, who will learn about the current thinking on composting initiatives and gain insight into how new product development may dovetail with this movement.

The session will open with an overview of challenges in composting and the use of compostable garbage bags in organics diversion. Presenters will then provide insights into successful implementation and deployment of industrial composting programs on a county scale by showcasing examples of successful programs and best practices as well as addressing the challenges of establishing a composting infrastructure from the beginning. The session will conclude by presenting the new frontiers and challenges in composting practice as well as compostability standards and innovative packaging solutions.

The workshop fee is $50. More information about the workshop and the Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference, including registration, is online at wirmc.org.

About the Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology
The Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology (WIST) connects the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to business and industry and provides research, laboratory services, and education. It is an entrepreneurial organization, working to bring new ideas and innovation from the university to the private sector. Research includes biofuels, renewably sourced chemicals from biomass, and value-added uses of agricultural and forestry residuals from processing. Laboratory services include paper testing, paper grade development, compostability, and other analyses such as ion chromatography for carbohydrates, organic acids and alcohols. WIST educational offerings include papermaking courses and topics in sustainability.

Contact:
Paul Fowler, Executive Director
Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology
Paul.Fowler@uwsp.edu
(715) 346-3767

About the Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference (WIRMC)
WIRMC is the premier solid waste and recycling conference for industry professionals in Wisconsin.  For 15 years this conference has been jointly hosted by the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin (AROW), the Wisconsin Counties Solid Waste Managers Association (WCSWMA), and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) – Badger Chapter.  This partnership has allowed professionals from all aspects of the solid waste and recycling industry to collaborate and learn from one another.

Contact: 
Karin Sieg, Executive Director 
Recycling Connections Corporation (RCC)
WIRM Conference Coordinators 
wirmc@wirmc.org 
(715) 343-0722